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Head-to-head · Bare Metal as a Service (BMaaS) Software

OpenStack Ironic vs MetalSoft Bare Metal Orchestrator

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
Higher score OpenStack Ironic #2 in Bare Metal as a Service (BMaaS) Software 9.1/10 Open source ✓ 0 of 3 features Try OpenStack Ironic
MetalSoft Bare Metal Orchestrator #5 in Bare Metal as a Service (BMaaS) Software 7.8/10 Pricing on request ✓ 0 of 3 features Visit MetalSoft

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreOpenStack Ironic · 9.1/10

OpenStack Ironic scores higher on our rubric for bare metal as a service (bmaas) software: 9.1 against 7.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #5.

OpenStack Ironic is the better fit for openStack-native bare-metal clouds. MetalSoft Bare Metal Orchestrator is the better fit for multi-site lifecycle orchestration with self-service.

  • OpenStack Ironic fits best

    OpenStack-native bare-metal clouds

  • MetalSoft Bare Metal Orchestrator fits best

    Multi-site lifecycle orchestration with self-service

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Side by side

Feature OpenStack Ironic 9.1/10 Visit ↗ MetalSoft Bare Metal Orchestrator 7.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 7.8
Ranking #2 in Bare Metal as a Service (BMaaS) Software #5 in Bare Metal as a Service (BMaaS) Software
Best for OpenStack-native bare-metal clouds Multi-site lifecycle orchestration with self-service
Pricing model Free Paid
Starting price Open source Pricing on request
Free plan Not checked yet Not checked yet
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted Self-hosted
Support Docs, Community Email, Tickets, Docs · 24/7
Integrations 5 integrations 11 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Mid-market, Enterprise
Features OpenStack Ironic 0/3 · MetalSoft Bare Metal Orchestrator 0/3
Lifecycle automation Not checked yet Not checked yet
OS imaging Not checked yet Not checked yet
Network configuration Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Provisioning method Not checked yet Not checked yet
Deployment model Not checked yet Not checked yet
Hypervisor support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Supports PXE, iPXE, HTTP, and virtual-media boot methods
  • Manages inspection, cleaning, RAID, BIOS, and firmware workflows
  • Integrates with core OpenStack services through REST APIs
  • Automates server discovery, enrollment, inventory, and OS deployment.
  • Manages firmware baselines and lifecycle workflows across sites.
  • Offers self-service access, an OpenAPI REST API, and AI-assisted diagnosis.
Cons
  • Self-hosted deployment places operations and maintenance on your team
  • Hardware support depends on available pluggable drivers
  • Docs and community channels are the listed support options
  • Pricing requires contacting sales.
  • Deployment is self-hosted, not a hosted service.
  • Its broad infrastructure scope may exceed simpler server-provisioning needs.
Our verdict

OpenStack Ironic is a self-hosted, open-source service for provisioning and managing physical servers. It can run independently or alongside an OpenStack cloud, giving infrastructure teams a common interface for heterogeneous hardware. Its…

Read the review →

MetalSoft Bare Metal Orchestrator provisions, re-provisions, and manages general-purpose and specialized physical servers across vendors. It is aimed at mid-market and enterprise teams operating on-premises, edge, hybrid, AI, or HPC…

Read the review →
  1. OpenStack IronicBare Metal as a Service (BMaaS) Software 9.1Open source
  2. MetalSoft Bare Metal OrchestratorBare Metal as a Service (BMaaS) Software 7.8Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • OpenStack Ironic — where it wins

    • Supports PXE, iPXE, HTTP, and virtual-media boot methods
    • Manages inspection, cleaning, RAID, BIOS, and firmware workflows
    • Integrates with core OpenStack services through REST APIs

    Where it doesn't

    • Self-hosted deployment places operations and maintenance on your team
    • Hardware support depends on available pluggable drivers
    • Docs and community channels are the listed support options

  • MetalSoft Bare Metal Orchestrator — where it wins

    • Automates server discovery, enrollment, inventory, and OS deployment.
    • Manages firmware baselines and lifecycle workflows across sites.
    • Offers self-service access, an OpenAPI REST API, and AI-assisted diagnosis.

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing requires contacting sales.
    • Deployment is self-hosted, not a hosted service.
    • Its broad infrastructure scope may exceed simpler server-provisioning needs.
  • OpenStack Ironic9.1/10 · Open source

    A broad, driver-based BMaaS service for teams operating OpenStack or self-hosted clouds.

    Try OpenStack IronicFull verdict →
  • MetalSoft Bare Metal Orchestrator7.8/10 · Pricing on request

    Multi-site bare-metal lifecycle orchestration with self-service and automation.

    Visit MetalSoftFull verdict →

More comparisons

All bare metal as a service (BMaaS) software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update